Apprentice Forde turning heads with longshot winners
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Apprentice Xarel Forde has made quite an impression at Woodbine this year, winning on a series of longshots that has led to more opportunity. The 21-year-old native of Barbados has four mounts Thursday at Woodbine, beginning with Right Brightly in the first and Cefalo in the second.
Sarah’s Dancer in the third is probably Forde’s livest mount, even though she’s moving up from $15,000 to $25,000 nonwinners-of-three company. She was a close third two starts back in a main turf sprint before recording another third-place finish most recently when going 1 1/16 miles around two turns on the inner turf under Forde. She cuts back to six furlongs on Thursday.
“When she went longer, I think it wasn’t the best,” Forde said. “I think dropping back [in distance] should be good for her. I’m looking forward to that one and many more for the weekend.”
In the fourth, Forde is being reunited with Mrs. Hot Shot in a $15,000 nonwinners-of-two route on the Tapeta. He rode her when she checked in third in a higher non-two route June 19. She went on to finish a wide fourth over an inside-favoring track last out in a seven-furlong sprint at this level.
“I think I have a pretty nice shot in this race,” Forde said. “Taking off five pounds is another plus for these horses.”
Forde’s agent is Mike Luider, who also represents journeyman Ryan Munger.
“I’m off to a good start, my first season in Canada,” Forde said. “My first race was on a favorite that didn’t run the best. My second start, I ended up winning by [disqualification] after running second. From there, the ball just kept rolling. I’ve been getting on some nice horses. I’m more than thankful for this opportunity.”
Forde raised some eyebrows on July 12, when he swept the early double on a pair of longshots. He led all the way on the 35-1 bomb Mad Dog N Joe, then rallied from last to take the second on 10-1 shot Grey Princess. The $1 Forde double paid a whopping $364.15.
Forde rides as a five-pound apprentice for the remainder of the year. He ranks ninth in the Woodbine jockey standings with 16 wins. His mounts have yielded a profitable return on investment of $3.72.
Apprentice Pietro Moran leads all jockeys with 52 wins. He rides in four of Thursday’s seven races, including on the favored Purrfect Girl in the fourth. Purrfect Girl is dropping off a second where she finished a half-length ahead of Mrs. Hot Shot after rallying from far off a quick pace.
Moran could take the nightcap on Pat’s Holiday, who’s descending from $25,000 to $15,000 maiden company on the inner turf. In her only other grass start in her debut last October, the 3-year-old was a prominent third against Ontario-sired and $40,000 maidens on the inner layout.
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